Over the years, I have grown to love my Monte ALMOST as much as my '84 Camaro. After all I've done to improve it, I've gotten to the point I really don't want to put her on the winter roads ever again (and she's been off of them since I got it in '08).
I've been driving my '94 Grand Am (the car the Monte was to replace) to keep the Monte parked for the winter. Well, the Grand Am drive train runs AWESOME, but as for the rest of her, the body is rotting. At almost 220,000 on the clock, she still serving me well, I give her that!

Right now, I don't have a lot to shop with and I wanted a drive train I was familiar with (3100/3400/3800) so a cheap car needing a little work I would at least not have to learn a new drive train. I wanted a Bonneville of an N-Body (like a Grand Am). N-Bodies seem to hold up against the winter salt around me a bit better then W-Bodies, plus being smaller, non-drive train parts (like wheel hubs) are sometimes a tad cheaper to buy.

I managed to bring home a '02 Grand Am GT with a 3400 Ram Air package on Tuesday night! She needs a HEAVY cleaning and a little wrench work, nothing major. But I paid $2100 cash (the guy wanted $2500). I refuse to park the Monte and get a car with a payment.

Here's some pics from Wednesday (as by the time I got her home, it was too dark to take any).

 

 

Hi `Jason,
It's great to read that you found a super deal & that you won't have to put your awesome Monte on the roads during your winter season..

Thanks for the before pictures & we look forward to seeing your *(after you get time 2 clean it `up pictures)
How many miles are on it ? Do you know how many owners ? You are blessed with great mechanical knowledge & I don't think I would tackle that ride , unless I had your abilities & talents to work & repair the items that need attention...

Will be looking forward to your updates & I wish you good luck with your new to you 02 Grand Am *GT* (WoW, it's a GT)

Wish you safe/happy miles ~> EnJoy your new project making it reliable & safe...GOOD LUCK `Jason

 

P.S. Maybe Mike (JG) can make you some Fender Stripes 4-it when you get it cleaned `up

 

A step up in looks on that GAGT

 

I always liked the looks of the Grand Am...especially the GT! Those 3400 GA's have pretty good off the line pep.

 

It's funny, I've had a '93/'94 Grand Am, my sister, and step brother both had '94 Grand Ams (those two are long gone to the junk yard), my wife had a '94 Grand Am.

Now, my step-mom and step-brother have '00 Grand Am GTs..... And now I have the '02. Feels like a trend lol!!

Even though it's to be driven in the winter, the AC does not work (I will have it looked at, if it's a cheap fix I'll get it fixed) but it DOES have a power sun roof. I really like the sun roof.

My "to-do" plate keeps getting bigger. I hope to knock a bunch out this Saturday. If all goes well, my brother-in-law will be giving me a hand with some of my car and non-car stuff I have planned for Saturday.

 

Love ti its the perfect color lol enjoy it man I loved my 03 GT it was a silver four door and she was no grandma in acceleration lol. Well back then thats how I felt anyway. I still regret selling it but in the end it was just a path that lead to my Monte so I'm pretty happy.

 

Looks nice, not to burst your bubble but a friend of mine with the same car had his go up in flames. But with your knowledge of cars and the 3400 drivetrain i doubt that would happen to you. Best of luck, i hope my 3100 monte sees the 200k mark.

 

Congrats jason.... It is soo kool not to have to drive a monte in the harsh winter. every spring it's like you get to drive a new car!